I needn’t state the obvious by saying that 2013 is right around the corner, but as it is, I thought I’d share a pre-New Year’s Eve activity idea. For those of you who believe (as I do) in the power of positive thinking and your thoughts creating your reality, a visualisation mood board may appeal…
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES LITTLE HANDS CAN HELP WITH (even those belonging to small toddlers)
As Christmas drew near, I was determined to find activities that my 21 month-old L could join in with (he was already filled with the Christmas spirit and had been singing “Bingle Bells” for weeks prior to Christmas!). This is a post about a small selection of activities that we found highly enjoyable and little hands-friendly…
EDIBLE FESTIVE GIFTS: NUTELLA WALNUT FUDGE, EASY MINCE PIES & PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE BARK (+ season's greetings to you!)
This is my first Christmas ever as the mother to a nursery school-aged toddler, thus preparing holiday gifts for teachers was a brand new experience. Being right in the thick of Christmas DIY-style, I thought I’d attempt to make all of my gifts for L’s teachers at home (even the gift tags, based on my…
MAGIC VANILLA CUPCAKES WITH COCONUT FLOUR (free from dairy, lactose, gluten & refined sugar! PLUS vegan vanilla frosting!)
I am calling these cupcakes “magic” simply because I cannot believe that something lacking in gluten, lactose/dairy AND refined sugar can be so perfect. Unlike some of my super-talented friends out there (Live Blissful, Fork and Beans and No Naughties, to drop just a few names) I am rather unaccustomed to modifying recipes for sweet treats…
AMAZING SUGAR COOKIES (and how to decorate them with fondant)
There were 3 things that I offered my blessingway guests as thank you gifts; a scented candle, a choice of accessories (bags, scarves, etc.) and these cookies! I have wanted an excuse to make fondant-covered cookies for some time and this occasion was the perfect one. I am so incredibly happy with this sugar cookie…
PERFECT CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES… WITH 2 DELICIOUS FROSTING OPTIONS (vegan coconut & Nutella buttercream)
Cupcakes tend to be the “crowning glory” of whatever spread I put on for special occasions. As such, I searched high and low and all over Pinterest for the perfect chocolate cupcake recipe (and some divine frostings to compliment it) in time for my blessingway. I guess I got lucky! My guests were posting photos…
CUPCAKE FOR CHARITY, PART 3 (AKA a time for giving)
A quick recap: After many complications, hospitalisation and finally a diagnosis of a high risk pregnancy condition known as SCH, I returned home at 17 weeks pregnant to face full bed rest and living with the continued fear of losing my baby. I realised quickly that depression and feelings of hopelessness would not help my…
CHRISTMAS CRACKLES (AKA crackles, take 2)
What seems like ages ago, I posted about chocolate crackles and how, at my little L’s nursery school celebrations for UN day they were so popular I didn’t even have time to take a photo of them before they all disappeared into the mouths of pre-schoolers (and their parents!). So I guess this post is…
EASY, FESTIVE CHOCOLATE GINGERBREAD TRUFFLES (with a dash of mulled wine & a touch of marzipan)
I bet you thought I’d forgotten about Project Pinterest, Operation Advent ;). Well, I haven’t… it’s just that I have not yet found the time to post all the different things I have been up to. But here is one of them in any case. A true taste of Swedish Christmas, in my humble opinion….
WISHING THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO (but I can't even make sense of this tragedy)
I can’t even bring myself to watch the news. What happened today at Sandy Hook elementary school is simply too shocking and devastating to put into words. I feel a strong need to do something proactive and, as my little L is tucked safely and snuggly in bed and I can’t smother him with kisses for…